Safety conditions are improving for Avista crews, allowing access to more wildfire-impacted areas where equipment needs repair.

SPOKANE, Wash., August 4, 2026, 3:00 PM— Approximately 2,900 Avista customers remain without power, down from yesterday’s number of 3,800, as crews continue to make progress repairing equipment damaged by wildfires. Crews are continuing repairs in areas where it is safe to do so, while also monitoring active fire conditions and evacuation orders that prevent Avista from reaching damaged equipment in other hard-hit areas.

“These are among the most dangerous and severe conditions our natural gas and electric crews have experienced. As they repair wildfire-damaged equipment, they’re also seeing the devastation these fires have left behind in the communities where they live and work,” said Josh DiLuciano, Avista Vice President of Energy Delivery. “While there is still work to do, we are making steady progress restoring service and will continue to stand alongside our communities throughout the immediate response and long-term recovery process.”

Spokane and Stevens County Restoration Update

Extreme fire danger continues to prevent Avista crews from reaching many areas affected by the Autumn Lane Fire. Avista will continue to work with emergency officials to monitor those conditions and gain access to areas within the evacuation zones as it is deemed safe to do so.  Avista will continue to provide updates as access improves and additional information becomes available.

Avista has more than 20 crews assessing damage and restoring service to parts of Indian Trail, Riverside State Park, areas west of the Spokane River, communities near Mead and other wildfire-impacted locations. Work includes repairing damaged power lines, replacing equipment and evaluating system impacts.

Inchelium Restoration Update

Electric service is now restored to the majority of customers impacted by the Modrite fire near Inchelium. Crews overcame challenging fire conditions to make critical repairs and safely restore power to much of the community.

Avista will continue addressing any remaining outages and completing follow-up repairs as it is safe to do so given continuing fire activity.

Natural Gas Customer Outage Update

Approximately 5,000 natural gas customers in the Spokane area remain without service due to wildfire damage, access restrictions and ongoing safety concerns. Avista has completed approximately 82% of damage assessments, representing more than 4,500 individual inspections of customer natural gas services and related infrastructure.

In the majority of areas, relights cannot begin until local emergency officials lift Level 3 evacuation orders and residents and utility crews are permitted to safely re-enter affected neighborhoods.

It is important for customers to understand that evacuation restrictions are separate from the status of Avista's natural gas system. Customers' inability to return to evacuated areas is not being influenced by damage to natural gas facilities.

Customers should not attempt to restore natural gas service themselves. Avista personnel will work directly with customers once relighting activities can safely begin.

Avista appreciates the patience and support of all our customers throughout the region as restoration efforts continue.  

About Avista Utilities
Avista Utilities is involved in the production, transmission and distribution of energy. We provide energy services and electricity to 429,000 customers and natural gas to 383,000 customers in a service territory that covers 34,000 square miles in eastern Washington, northern Idaho and parts of southern and eastern Oregon, with a population of 1.5 million.  Avista Utilities is an operating division of Avista Corp. (NYSE: AVA). For more information, please visit myavista.com. Avista Corp. and the Avista Corp. logo are trademarks of Avista Corporation. 

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